Mountains
High Sierra
Mt. Tamalpais
Western Mountains
High Sierra
Killion has been hiking and sketching California's High Sierra since childhood. Many of his finest landscape sketches and prints explore this terrain. From 1995 to 2000 Killion created almost forty prints for his book "The High Sierra of California," which also contains the backcountry journals of noted California poet Gary Snyder. More of Killion's Sierra prints completed since the book's publication are listed at the top of this page.
Image Size: 12 x 9 inches
First Printed: 2021
Printing History: The misty forest of foxtail pines on a mountainside near the top of Lost Canyon in the High Sierra is many hundreds of years old, some of the dead trees have probably been standing for well over a century. This five block multi-color edition of 180 was completed in February 2021, from a sketch Killion made in 2013. (A small Black&White edition of just the key block image is also available on Single-Color Prints page).
Image Size: 13 x 11 inches
First Printed: 2022
Printing History: This view from the Mt. Elektra/Mt. Ansel Adams ridge on the SW border of Yosemite NP, looking East at sunset, with alpenglow on the Minarets and a lightning storm behind, was sketched by Killion in September 2015. He carved the blocks in early 2022 and completed the printing in mid-April. Four color blocks with an extra sky layer and the key block make this a 6-color print. Special pressure printing make-ready on the cylinder tympan produced the glow around the chain lightning (see “Showcase” page for photos of process). Available as original multi-block print in edition of 175 plus several artist proofs.
Available — Purchase
Image Size: 12 x 9 inches (including sky space)
First Printed: 2021
Printing History: This view is from just below the area where “Ancient Forest” was sketched (the ancient foxtail pine forest can be seen in left mid-ground below the mountainside). Block completed and edition of 150 begun March 2021.
Image Size: 12 x 9
First Printed: 2021
Printing History: This Black&White edition of 55 plus one a.p. was printed from the key block for the color print of “Ancient Forest, Lost Canyon” (see Multi-Color Prints page).
Image Size: 14 x 15.25 inches
First Printed: 2020
Printing History: Early summer view of Tuolumne Meadows with Lembert Dome, Mt. Dana and the Sierra crest in background. 11 color layers, multi-block reduction cut print. Edition of 180 plus 15 artist’s proofs and 6 working proofs (w.p.s). Edition prints and a.p.s sold out.
Note: A new ‘winter scene’ rendition of this image employing the original key block and several of the old color blocks, plus some newly carved winter blocks is planned for release in 2024.
Image Size: 11 x 13.5 inches
First Printed: 2023
Printing History: This 10-color woodcut print was produced from a sketch Tom made in early October 2017 among Sierra Junipers on the Bishop Pass trail where it winds down from Dusy Basin to LeConte Canyon and the John Muir trail. The first snow of the season was sparkling on the ridge of Devil’s Crags across the canyon in clear early morning light. The print was completed in July 2023 in an edition of 175 plus 25 artist’s proofs and a few oddly-colored working proofs. Two types of Torinoko paper were used on the edition: on almost all the edition the usual white Torinoko, and on a few prints a ‘natural’-colored Torinoko (numbers 16-32 & 101-104). An extra layer of thin ink along just the ridgeline of the distant mountains was added on the white Torinoko paper prints. A few of the artist proofs were printed on a natural-colored Echizen kozo paper. The entire edition is now Out of Print.
Sold Out
Image Size: 19 x 11.5 inches
First Printed: 2020
Tom sketched these three Sequoia Gigantea in the Giant Forest, Sequoia NP, in 2010 and produced this 14 color woodcut print during the coronavirus lockdown of 2020. Edition of 190 plus 21 artists proofs.
Sold Out - see Large-Format Prints page for new giclee edition
Image Size: 11 x 8 inches
First Printed: 2019
Printing History: This view of Vernal Falls from the Mist Trail was created from a May 2019 sketch. Single color print, edition I of 195 (2019) plus 11 a.p.s; ed. II of 150 (2021) plus some a.p.s.
Image Size: 12 x 16
First printed: 2017
Printing History: Multi-block print with three color layers completed in edition of 155 in Feb. 2017, along with several artist's proofs (without the golden block for moon). Key block was reworked from earlier "Yosemite Valley" print. Original block print edition completely Out-of-Print. (Note: A new Large-Format Giclee edition is now available of this image, see Large Format Editions section of the Available Prints on this website.)
Image Size: 14x10 inches
First Printed: 2018
Printing History: Note: This print was made for the film production “Journey to Hokusai” (see Printmaking Page for video). From a sketch beside Upper Rae Lake. Six block multi-color print with overprinting for bokashi effect on sky-lake block. Initially, five wood blocks were carved with traditional Japanese kento registration marks and taken to Kyoto to print moku hanga style (traditional water-based ink handprinting) in October 2018; a small number of moku hanga prints were completed, and two separate batches were made available: Series I, ed. of 6 plus 2 a.ps (and some oddly colored working proofs “w.p.s”) were entirely handprinted by Killion in Kyoto, quality varies as these were ‘learning prints’ (out of print); Series II, ed. of 7 plus 1 a.p. have all the color blocks handprinted in Japan and then key block printed by Killion on his handpress with oil-based black ink once he returned from Japan, these have more consistent key block quality and lines are clearer (these moku hanga prints are sold-out). Upon returning from Japan, Killion carved a sixth ‘green’ tint block and completed the oil-based ink/handpress edition (pictured) of 160 prints plus several artist proofs in November 2018. (Edition now out of print).
SOLD OUT as Original Woodcut
Image Size: 19.25 x 11.25 inches
First Printed: 2017
Printing History: Multi-block print with 12 color layers completed in 2017 in an edition of 185 plus 12 artist proofs. This view is from above the mouth of Cataract Creek where it empties into Palisade Creek, which can be seen falling several thousand feet along the Golden Staircase section of the John Muir Trail. A gigantic Western White Pine grows on the left side of image, at the height of its elevation range. All in all, the image depicts over 5,000 feet of High Sierra vertical terrain, from the top of Middle Palisade Peak (14,012') to the junction of the two creeks (c.9,000'). Original multi-block print edition is completely Sold Out.
Available as Large-Format Edition print now at:
https://tomkillion.com/gicle/middle-palisade-peak-western-white-pine
Image Size: 12 x 11
First Printed: 2017
Printing History: Multi-block print with four color layers completed in edition of 150 plus several proofs in Feb. 2017. This print was made to celebrate the naming of Mt. Thoreau in the Fall of 2015 by a group of writers and artists. Mt. Thoreau sits opposite Mt. Emmerson flanking the eastern side of Piute Pass above Bishop. Less than 50 remain in edition.
Image Size: 11x8.5
First Printed: 2016
Printing History: View from the Golden Staicase to the Black Divide on the John Muir Trail, 4 color layers, blocks carved and printed in an edition of 175 plus 6 artist's proofs in 2016.
Sold Out
Image Size: 8x10 inches
First Printed: 2016
Printing History: Multi-block reduction-cut, 7 color layers, edition of 175 plus several artist's proofs, completed August 2016. The view is of the southern end of the Ritter Range, from just west of Devil's Postpile Nat'l Monument. Out of Print.
Image Size: 13x10 inches
First Printed: 2014
Printing History: The view from Little Claire Lake east of Mineral King in Sequoia, N.P., looking across Big Arroyo, Chagoopa Plateau and the rim of Kern Canyon to Mt. Whitney. Multi-block reduction cut with 12 color layers, printed in an edition of 175 plus several artist's proofs spring 2014. Edition prints have one more layer of color on foreground rocks.
Image Size: 18x24 inches
First Printed: 2014
Printing History: Killion's image "Mt. Whitney from Little Claire Lake" was created for this poster published by a coalition of California conservation groups to celebrate 50 years of California wilderness created by the 1964 Wilderness Act.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 18.5 x 13.5 inches
First Printed: 2012
Printing History: Alternate sky variation (w/out pressure printed light effects) on ed. prints #s 1-43. All of these have been sold.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 18.5 x 13.5 inches
First Printed: 2012
Printing History: Isosceles Peak (on right) and Thunderbolt Mountain (on left) in the Palisades. Edition of 165 printed 2012-13. Seven-color multi-block reduction-cut with pressure printing and hand-rolled sky due to long vertical format. Note: this is a LARGE vertical print (see dimensions). This sky (with pressure-printed streaking) is in numbers 44-175 plus artist's proofs (several variations).
Image Size: 15x14 inches
First Printed: 2012
Printing History: Fin Dome rises in the early October morning light from the lovely Rae Lakes Basin along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon N.P. The trail can be seen winding through trees on the dark shoreline of the foreground peninsula. Printed in early 2012 as a multi-block reduction cut in an edition of 170, plus 11 artist's proofs: 7 color layers (including reduction on key block). Out of Print.
No Longer Available
Image Size: 12x9 inches
First Printed: 2012
Printing History: New 4-color/block edition with new shadow block, recut key and sky blocks, completed Nov. 2012. Ed. of 108 plus 9 artist's proofs. Only a few artists proofs remain.
Out-of-Print
Image Size: 17x9.5 inches
First Printed: 2011
Printing History: Multi-block reduction cut with 7 color layers (and pressure printed stencils on the background tint block). Printed in an edition of 170 plus 6 artist's proofs & 7 working proofs (from registration proofs) in early 2011. Out-of-print.
Large-format Iris-print edition of 45 plus 13 artist proofs. Image measures 15x28. Out-of-print.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 11.5x19.5 inches
First Printed: 2010
Printing History: Multi-block reduction-cut, 8 color layers, edition of 170 plus 5 artist's proofs and 2 w.p.s (completed 2010). Mt. Goddard rises on left side of print, view is west from ridge above Wanda Lake. Out-of-print.
Image Size: 11.5x16 inches
First Printed: 2007
Printing History: State II [different sky color and small clouds behind Half Dome] 4-color print, completed 2007 in edition of 110 plus one artist's proof.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 9x7 inches
First Printed: 2007
Printing History: Multi-block reduction cut with 6 color layers, single edition of 150 printed January 2007; 3 original blocks carved 2004 and hand-printed with water-based inks as open studios keepsakes. Blocks destroyed in process.
Image Size: 9.5x12 inches
First Printed: 2006
Printing History: Dawn w/ full moon setting, dark still in west reflecting blue on granite above Lost Canyon. Looking west from high on the Kawaeah Crest. Edition of 170 completed March, 2006. Multi-block reduction cut with 6 color layers. Out of Print.
Read about Foxtail Pine World
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 9.5x12 inches
First Printed: 2006
Printing History: Edition of 165 plus 1 artist's proof completed March 2006. Multi-block reduction with 7 color layers.
Read about Foxtail Pine World
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 10x12.5 inches
First Printed: 2006
Printing History: Edition of 175, 4 artist's proofs and 3 working proofs completed January 2006. Multi-block reduction with 8 color layers. Blocks destroyed in process.
Read about Foxtail Pine World
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 13.5x17 inches
First Printed: 2005
Printing History: Edition of 176 plus 3 a.p.s and 2 working proofs completed October 2005. Multi-block reduction cut, 13 color layers. Blocks destroyed in process. Out of Print.
No Longer Available
Image Size: 12x12 inches
First Printed: 2004
Printing History: State III: 2 color print/key block recut; edition of 95 plus 6 artist's proofs, 2 book proofs and 1 working proof completed 2004. Original relief edition out-of-print.
Now Available as Large-Format Giclée Print in edition of 98, measures 16x16.5 image size.
Image Size: 8x11.25 inches
First Printed: 2001
Printing History: State II, edition of 80 printed February 2001 -- orange blocks recut, tent lines changed. Note the dark patch in right hand sky appears in all State II prints.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 9.5x12.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: State II, edition of 34. Blocks destroyed.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 7x10.75 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Winter view. First edition of 95 plus several artist's proofs printed April 2000. Edition II of 85 printed 2005-07; block recut ed. III of 25 plus 15 artist's proofs printed 2012; ed. IV of 75 plus 5 a.p.s (2015); ed. V of 75 plus 5 a.p.s (2017); ed. VI of 95 (2020) plus 3 a.p.s; ed. VII (2024) of 95.
Image Size: 4x4.25 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: First edition of 100 printed March 2000, plus 29 artist's proofs Edition II (2002) = 95; ed. III (2005) = 50; ed.IV (2009) = 65; ed. V (2015) = 55 + 15 a.p.s; ed. VI (2017) = 75 + 4 a.p.s; ed. VII (2023) = 85.
Image Size: 11x9 inches
First printed: 2000
Printing History: First edition of 95 plus 15 artist's proofs printed March 2000. Second edition (II) of 85 plus 15 artist's proofs printed 2004. Block recut 2008 for ed. III of 75 plus 11 artist's proofs; ed. IV (2014) of 85, plus 4 a.p.s; ed. V (2018) of 85, plus 10 a.p.s; ed. VI (2021) of 95 plus 10 a.p.s; ed. VII of 95 begun 2023.
Image Size: 8.5x10.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: First edition of 95 March 2000, plus 9 artist's proofs; ed. II of 75 begun 2013.
Image Size: 11.5x8 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: The High Sierra trail view of Angels Wings formation in Sequoia Nat’l Park. State I, edition of 20 plus 5 artist's proofs printed 1998; State II edition of 80, 2000; ed. III of 75 begun 2019.
Available - Purchase
Image Size: 7.5x5.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Early numbers titled: "Devils Punchbowl Lake". The scene is at this lake in the Red Mt. Basin (John Muir Wilderness), early summer ice on lake, with open water reflecting a peak. First edition of 100 plus 1 a.p. (2000); ed. II of 75 begun 2021, available.
Image Size: 8x5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: First edition of 95 plus 7 artist's proofs printed March 2000; ed. II of 85 printed July 2002.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x9 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Nominal edition of 65, but only 1-39, plus 2 artist's proofs, printed January 2000 in conjunction w/ hand-printed "High Sierra" book. Edition will be finished sometime...
Temporarily unavailable.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x9 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Edition I of 95, Numbers 1-52 plus 1 artist's proof. printed April 2000. Numbers 53-95 printed Feb. 2010. Two-color layers. Second edition with darker blue in upper sky: “Junction Peak II” ed. of 49 printed 2015. Out-of-print.
Image Size: 9x5.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: View from near Italy Pass looking into Bear Lakes drainage, early summer. Edition of 90 plus 5 artist's proofs printed March 2000; ed. II of 85 begun 2017. Available.
Image Size: 12x8.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: First edition of 95 plus 9 artist's proofs printed from March 2000. Edition II of 75 plus 14 artist's proofs printed 2005-07; ed. III (2011) of 50 plus 8 artist's proofs; ed. IV (2020) of 75 plus some a.p.s.
Available - Purchase
Image Size: 12x9.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: View of Hamilton and the rock wall where the High Sierra trail climbs on up to Kaweah Gap. Edition of 95 printed July 2000.
Image Size: 6.5x8.5 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Edition of 125, Numbers 1-59 printed August 2000 along with some book proofs. Edition never completed, may be in future as blocks remain in good shape.
Temporarily unavailable
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 4.25x5.25 inches
First Printed: 2000
Printing History: Two-color print, edition of 98 begun July 2000. Second part of first edition will be completed soon, print is Temporarily Unavailable at this time.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x16 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: First edition of 104 plus 2 artist's proofs printed 1999 -- many with second color layer in lower sky. Second State (II) with small clouds in lower right sky printed from new color blocks September 2007 in edition of 108 (+1a.p. & 2 w.p.s). Out of Print
Out of Print
Image Size: 3.5x5.25 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Endgrain boxwood block: First edition of 80 printed Summer 1999; Edition II of 90 (2001); Edition III of 75 (2003/4) plus 10 artist's proofs; Edition IV of 75 (2007) plus 20 artist's proofs: ed. V of 45 plus 5 artist's proofs; ed. VI (2015) 35 plus artist's proofs; ed. VII (2018) of 75; ed. VIII (2021) of 85; ed. IX (2024) of 85.
Image Size: 11.5x9 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: State I, edition of 95 plus artist's proofs 3-7, printed through #71, November 1999; State II, edition of 85 plus 5 artist's proofs and and 13 book proofs printed February 2001. Original relief edition out-of-print.
Now Available as Large-format giclée print, image size 21x16.5, edition of 65.
Image Size: 6x8 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Edition of 34 printed July 1999. Multi-block reduction cut.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x16.5 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Edition of 98 plus 13 artist's proofs and 2 book proofs printed September 1999. Blocks then cut up to print covers of handprinted High Sierra book.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 9x16.5 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Edition of 75 plus 4 artist's proofs printed 1999; border then cut away to produce title page print, see above. Multi-block reduction cut.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x16 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Edition of 100 plus 2 artist's proofs printed 1999. Multi-block reduction cut.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x16 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Edition of 97 plus 17 artist's proofs and 1 working proof on Ise paper, printed 1999. Multi-block reduction cut.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 10.5x9.5 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: State II, edition of 51 printed November 1999.
Image Size: 11.5x16 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: State I [yellow sky] printed in edition of 115 plus 15 artist's proofs in 1999 and completed in 2001.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x9 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: Three color edition of 115 plus 5 artist's proofs printed October 1999 in conjunction w/ hand-printed "High Sierra" book.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 6x9 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: State I, edition of 75 plus 20 artist's proofs, printed 1999 -- some with blue sky, some titled "Cathedral Peak"; State II, edition of 85 plus 2 artist's proofs, printed August 2002.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 8x11.25 inches
First Printed: 1999
Printing History: State I, edition of 101 plus 2 artist's proofs and several book proofs, printed with High Sierra book, December 1999.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 11.5x9 inches
First Printed: 1998
Printing History: State I, edition of 95 plus 6 artist's proofs printed 1998; State II, edition of 95 plus 18 artist's proofs and 3 working proofs printed February 2001. Original relief edition out-of-print.
Now Available as large-format giclée print in edition of 98, measures 16x12.5 image size.
Image Size: 12x16.5 inches
First Printed: 1998
Printing History: Only 20 artist's proofs printed (19 with handset metal type -- 1 without type) along with pages of book, 1998.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 6x9 inches
First Printed: 1998
Printing History: First edition of 75 plus 18 artist's proofs printed 1998; second edition (II) of 90 plus 16 artist's proofs printed 2001-05.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x16 inches
First Printed: 1998
Printing History: State I, edition of 95 plus 11 artist's proofs printed 1998 -- some titled "French's Canyon"; State II with 2 sky blocks printed in edition of 114 plus 3 artist's proofs, 2002.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12.5x19 inches
First Printed: 1997
Printing History: Edition of 108 plus 5 artist's proofs on Ise paper printed in 1997. Multi-block reduction cut out-of-print.
Large-format giclée print (28x36) edition of 25 (plus 18 artist's proofs) printed thru 2012. Evolution Valley II, medium-large-format will be available in late 2016.
Out of print as woodcut - Available as large-format giclee
Image Size: 7.5x9.5 inches
First Printed: 1997
Printing History: State I, edition of 20 plus 11 artist's proofs, printed 1997.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 9.5x12.5 inches
First Printed: 1996
Printing History: State I, edition of 115 printed 1996.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 3x5 inches
First Printed: 1978
Printing History: First edition of 30 printed c.1978-79; second edition (II) printed 1980 along with pages for "Eastward the Armies" [seeHandprinted Books]; 3rd edition of 16 printed 1997 -- block recut/destroyed printing "Prospectus" for High Sierra book.
Out of print - not available
Image Size: 12x12 inches
First Printed: 1977
Printing History: State I, edition of 50 plus 11 artist's proofs printed c.1977-82; State II -- key block recut and 2nd color block added, edition of 100 plus 15 artist's proofs printed c.1989-90.
Out of print - not available
Image Size:4x7 inches
Printed: 2024
Printing History: First edition of 82 printed 1999; edition II (2007) of 85 plus 2 artist's proofs; ed. III (2024-pictured) of 214 plus 6 a.p.s.
Available (click image to purchase)